Four factors driving sugar reduction efforts

ARNHEM, THE NETHERLANDS — Four “buckets” are causing sugar levels in foods and beverages to drop, said Lu Ann Williams, director of insights and innovation for Arnhem-based Innova Market Insights. Speaking in a Nov. 20 webinar, she listed sugar substitution, sugar reduction, “sweet science” and “beyond sweetness” as the four factors, or “buckets.”

Sugar substitution refers to sugar alternatives. Globally, new product launches that mentioned stevia increased 13% per year on average from 2014 to 2018, according to Innova.

“Stevia grew so fast so long,” Ms. Williams said. “It’s still continuing to grow in usage every year.”

New product launches that mentioned monk fruit increased 21% per year on average.

“From what I understand, it’s a little bit more challenging, maybe a little bit more expensive, a little bit more limited in supply, but still it certainly ticks that box of a very natural sweetener,” Ms. Williams said of monk fruit.

New product launches mentioning thaumatin, which works well with stevia and may be labeled as a natural flavor, increased 25% per year on average.

Ms. Williams mentioned allulose, a rare sugar that received a favorable regulatory ruling in April. The Food and Drug Administration said it will use enforcement discretion to allow allulose to be excluded from the total sugars declaration and added sugars declaration on the Nutrition Facts Label

“Allulose, I think, is going to be the big star of 2020,” she said.

Sugar reduction, another “bucket,” refers to removing sugar without the use of alternative sweeteners. Clean label, including people who have concerns over artificial sweeteners, fits into this area. Innova data from 2018 showed three out of five U.S. consumers would rather cut back on sugar than consume alternative sweeteners.

“Sweet science” refers to new technology.

“We think technology is going to be a big part of this,” Ms. Williams said. “For people investing in the science, this is going to be a way to win.”

Ms. Williams gave several examples of recent scientific breakthroughs.

Better Juice, Ashdod, Israel, uses enzymes in non-bioengineered/non-G.M.O. microorganisms to convert sugars in juice to non-digestible compounds such as dietary fiber. Two Good Greek yogurt from Danone S.A., Paris, has 2 grams of total sugar per 5.3-oz serving, which compares to 11 grams for some other Greek yogurts, because it’s made with a slow straining process that removes sugar from the milk.

Researchers at Nestle S.A., Vevey, Switzerland, in 2016 changed the structure of sugar using natural ingredients. They created an aerated, porous sugar that dissolves more quickly in the mouth, which allows people to perceive the same sweetness as before while consuming less sugar.

“Beyond sweetness” refers to people switching from seeking sweet flavors to trying other flavors. Innova data show 50% of consumers now prefer savory snacks to sweet snacks in the afternoon, Ms. Williams said. People are associating floral notes with freshness, she added, and bitter flavors are appearing in yogurt, ice cream, bars and plant-based milk alternatives.

Green vegetables are gaining momentum in product applications.

“Green juice is the poster child for a shift in taste for consumers,” Ms. Williams said. “If you’re going to drink something green, you’re probably going to have to accept some bitter taste.”

Consumer concerns and regulatory pressures are teaming up to pressure companies to prioritize sugar reduction, she said. Innova recognized a “big spike” in sugar-related product claims in 2018.

“Consumers are absolutely trying to avoid sugars,” Ms. Williams said. “It’s the No. 1 thing that we see in terms of avoidance.”

Laws taxing sugar-containing products were a “shot fired across the bow,” she said.